How to use Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35) — eligibility, time limits, rates and VA Form 22-5490
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35) pays a monthly amount directly to the child or spouse of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, died from one, died in the line of duty, or is missing, captured or forcibly detained. From October 1, 2026 the full-time rate for college is $1,621.00 a month, for up to 36 months (45 if training started before August 1, 2018). Children can be any age if they became eligible, turned 18 or finished high school on or after August 1, 2023; spouses whose qualifying event was on or after that date have no time limit. Apply online or on VA Form 22-5490.
What you'll need
- A VA.gov sign-in (Login.gov or ID.me), or VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits) on paper
- The veteran's name, Social Security number and branch, and the qualifying event (rating, death or status)
- Your Social Security number, direct deposit information and school information
- Proof of relationship if VA asks (birth or marriage certificate)
Step-by-step
Step 1: Confirm the veteran or service member qualifies
One of these must be true: the veteran is permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability; the veteran died from a service-connected disability; the service member died in the line of duty; the service member is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force for more than 90 days; the service member was forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign entity for more than 90 days; or the service member is hospitalized or in outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for it.
Step 2: Rules for children
Children can be married or unmarried. If you became eligible, turned 18 or finished high school (or a GED) on or after August 1, 2023, you can use DEA at any age with no time limit. If all three happened before August 1, 2023, you may generally use the benefit between 18 (or high school completion) and 26, with exceptions: eligibility that began, or a parent's death, between 18 and 26, or military service (8 years from discharge, up to age 31). You cannot use DEA while on active duty, and a child receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation gives up DIC while using DEA. A child whose parent died in the line of duty may also qualify for the Fry Scholarship and can use both, one at a time (81 months combined if the death was before August 1, 2011; 48 months if on or after, and only through a different qualifying event).
Step 3: Rules for spouses
A spouse can receive DEA and DIC at the same time. Benefits begin on the date VA finds you eligible or the date of death. If the qualifying event was before August 1, 2023, benefits generally end after 10 years (another 10 years if a permanently and totally disabled veteran later dies; 20 years if the service member died on active duty, or when the permanent and total rating took effect within 3 years of discharge); if the event was on or after August 1, 2023 there is no time limit. Divorce ends eligibility. Remarriage after the veteran's death ends it unless you were 57 or older and remarried on or after January 1, 2004, or the new marriage ends. A spouse eligible for both DEA and the Fry Scholarship must choose one and cannot switch later.
Step 4: What DEA pays (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027)
VA pays you, not the school: $1,621.00 a month for full-time college enrollment, $1,281.00 at three-quarter time, $939.00 at half time; below half time VA pays up to $939.00 (or up to $405.25 at quarter time or less), but no more than your tuition and fees, as a lump sum each term. Rates differ for apprenticeships, on-the-job training, correspondence and other programs. You can get up to 36 months (45 if your program started before August 1, 2018), and you must verify your enrollment to be paid. DEA also covers tutoring, national tests and prep courses, and licensing and certification tests.
Step 5: Apply and have the school certify you
Confirm the program is approved with the GI Bill Comparison Tool, then apply online at VA.gov or mail VA Form 22-5490 to the regional processing office for the state where your school is (or where you live, if you have not chosen a school). Tell the school's VA certifying official that you applied so they submit your enrollment. VA mails a decision letter (Certificate of Eligibility). An accredited representative can help for free; the Education Call Center is 888-442-4551, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET.
Critical tips
- DEA cannot be transferred; each eligible child and the spouse applies in their own name, and each has their own months of entitlement.
- A child of a service member who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001 should compare the Fry Scholarship, which pays tuition to the school plus a housing allowance, before using DEA.
- Free educational and career counseling (Chapter 36) is available to dependents eligible for VA education benefits.
- DEA is not need-based and does not reduce federal student aid — file the FAFSA separately.
- A county veterans service officer can help with the application for free: warriorsfund.org/find-cvso.
- In crisis: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.